American Airlines Grounds A320 Family Aircraft Amid Software Update
In a significant operational decision, American Airlines has elected to temporarily ground over 200 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family. This measure follows a notification from Airbus indicating that specific models necessitate essential updates to their flight control software.
The Fort Worth-based airline, which operates its primary hub at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, is presently addressing the updates on a total of 209 Airbus aircraft. By Friday evening, fewer than 150 planes remained that required further attention.
Initially, American Airlines had identified 340 aircraft potentially affected by the software concern in a preemptive move to align with regulatory directives from both the United States and Europe.
However, this figure was subsequently revised downward following “additional discussions and clarifications from Airbus,” the airline disclosed.
The airline expressed optimism earlier in the day, forecasting that the “vast majority” of updates for the affected aircraft would be finalized “today and tomorrow.” For numerous planes, the update procedure is expected to consume approximately two hours.
“While we anticipate some delays during this update process, our focused aim is to minimize cancellations, especially as customers return from holiday travel,” stated the airline. “Nonetheless, our paramount priority will always be the safety of our operations.
We mobilize our entire workforce to rectify this Airbus software issue and accommodate any passengers impacted by flight alterations.”
American Airlines operates a fleet that includes around 480 A320 family aircraft. This family encompasses various models, including the A319, A320, A321, and the A321XLR.
Recently, American Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to receive the A321XLR and intends to deploy it for international flights starting in March.
On Friday, Airbus articulated that intense solar radiation “may compromise crucial data essential for the operation of flight controls.” This assertion led the company to pinpoint a considerable number of in-service A320 Family aircraft that might be affected.
Following Airbus’s announcement, the European Aviation Safety Agency issued an Airworthiness Directive affecting several Airbus models, mandating the replacement of Elevator Aileron Computers.
The directive was prompted by an incident involving an Airbus A320 that experienced an “uncommanded and limited pitch-down event.”
According to the directive, “The autopilot remained engaged throughout the incident, resulting in a brief and limited altitude loss, but the remainder of the flight proceeded without further issues.”
A preliminary technical assessment by Airbus indicated that a malfunction of the corresponding affected computer could have been a contributing factor to the occurrence. This technology plays a pivotal role in the flight operations of Airbus aircraft utilizing fly-by-wire systems.
Should this condition remain unresolved, it could lead to an uncommanded elevator movement, potentially exceeding the aircraft’s structural limits, warned the directive.
The Federal Aviation Administration refrained from providing additional comments, directing inquiries instead to Airbus and the EASA.
This grounding follows a recent October incident in which at least 15 passengers aboard a JetBlue flight were injured when an A320 rapidly descended, necessitating an emergency landing in Florida, according to the Associated Press.
“Airbus recognizes that these recommendations will result in operational disruptions for passengers and customers,” the company stated.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused and will collaborate closely with operators, while prioritizing safety above all else.”
It remains unclear whether American Airlines’ primary competitors, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines—both of which incorporate Airbus aircraft into their fleets—are also affected by this software issue.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines, headquartered at Dallas Love Field, exclusively operates Boeing 737 aircraft and is unaffected by the current grounding.
Source link: Dallasnews.com.
